CORNISH MPs IN CALL FOR "EARLIEST POSSIBLE ELECTIONS"

11.30.00am GMT Thu 29th Jan 2009

Liberal Democrat MPs in Cornwall are calling for elections to the new Cornwall Council to take place "as soon as possible," in their submission to local government Minister John Healey.

Cornwall's MPs have responded to the Government's request for views on the election date by calling for elections for the 123 members to take place in June if possible, for a full electoral term of 4 years.

They are pressing Ministers to support Cornwall's returning officer to ensure this date is achieved. According to the MPs, elections at the earliest possible stage are crucial to giving the council a democratic mandate, and to ensuring the new council gets off to the best possible start.

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy said:

"The credibility and democratic legitimacy of local government in Cornwall is of critical importance. Everything needs to be done to ensure that elections are as close to the start of the new unitary council as possible.

"For this reason, it remains our view that elections to the new council should take place at the earliest possible opportunity, on the basis of the 123 councillors recommended by the boundary committee, for a full 4 year term.

"There is broad consensus for elections to be held as soon as possible, and we are calling on the Minster to support Cornwall in overturning any obstacles that stand in the way."

Matthew Taylor, MP for Truro and St Austell, added:

"We recognise the Electoral Commission's concerns over the full implementation of the new electoral arrangements in time for local elections on 4 June 2009; but we strongly believe the new unitary councils must be given every opportunity to get off to a successful start.

"We stress that whether the elections happen as planned in June or are pushed back by the Minster to October, there must be for a full 4 year term of office. Two elections within a year would make it impossible to make any of the long term decisions necessary for Cornwall."